‘We feel violated’: Pictou residents frustrated by thefts targeting historic plaques

A recent string of thefts in Pictou County, Nova Scotia has left residents feeling disheartened and frustrated. The thefts primarily targeted historic plaques and church bells, with the thieves likely looking to sell the items for scrap metal. The stolen items hold significant historical and sentimental value to the communities they were taken from.

One of the stolen items was a 50-year-old brass plaque from the McCulloch House Museum in Pictou. Additionally, brass plaques were taken from two stone cairn monuments in the communities of Lorne and Churchville. The Lorne cairn, which was erected nearly forty years ago to honor Clan Dunbar, one of the first Scottish settlers in the area, was among the targets of the thieves.

Chester Dewar, a resident of Lorne and District 12 county councillor, expressed his disappointment at the thefts, highlighting the sense of history and community that these items represent. He tried to locate the stolen plaque at local junkyards but was unsuccessful. The cost of replacing the plaque far exceeds what it would have been sold for as scrap metal.

Arlene MacGregor, a resident of Churchville, was shocked to discover that the brass plaques from a cairn in her town, which marked the first house in the community over ninety years ago, had been stolen. She never imagined that these seemingly insignificant items would be targeted by thieves.

In addition to the plaques, church bells were also stolen from Holy Name Catholic Church in Westville and a church in Ballantyne’s Cove. While the bell from Holy Name Catholic Church was eventually found and returned, the one from Ballantyne’s Cove was discovered in Thorburn, Pictou County.

In response to the thefts, residents created a Facebook group called Pictou County-Stop the Thieves, which has garnered over 1,000 members. The group serves as a platform for community members to document stolen items and express their frustration with what they perceive as inadequate RCMP action.

Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, the RCMP district commander for Pictou, acknowledged the community’s frustration and assured them that the authorities are doing their best to investigate the thefts. Despite the challenges of tracking down stolen items in isolated areas, the RCMP is committed to finding those responsible.

The thefts have had a lasting impact on the affected communities, leaving residents feeling violated and disheartened. Arlene MacGregor emphasized that the stolen items hold significant meaning for the community and that the thieves’ actions demonstrate a lack of respect for history and heritage.

As the investigation continues, residents are hopeful that the stolen items will be recovered and that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. The community remains determined to preserve its history and heritage in the face of such senseless thefts.